High school student athletes are hungry for competition, and coaches have been doing their best to keep them from getting bored during in-person workouts that have been hamstrung by COVID-19 restrictions.
At Dos Pueblos High in Goleta, the football coaches found a way for players to compete against others safely through a program set up by USA Weightlifting.
The Chargers participated in the USA Weightlifting High School Throwdown, a competition that pits prep athletes from across the country against each other in their respective weight divisions.
The athletes submitted a video showcasing their best efforts in the weight-lifting exercises of bench press, back squat and clean (full or power move).
The squat and bench were judged based on rules set by USA Powerlifting, and the clean is judged by USA Weightlifting rules.
Dos Pueblos had two national champions crowned: junior Eric Roldan at 129 pounds and senior Jacob Perez at plus-238 pounds. They were part of 89 Chargers who participated in the competition.
The Chargers collectively lifted about 33,400 pounds and finished second overall in the team competition for the second year in a row. New Trier High of Northfield, Ill., took first. Ninety entrants collectively lifted 47,920 pounds.
It’s a frustrating time for high school student athletes in California. The pandemic forced the spring sports season of 2020 to be canceled and jumbled the 2020-21 seasons.
Football, which in normal times would be in the playoffs right now, is scheduled to start official practices on Dec. 14 and begin competition in January.
“It’s been pretty rough trying to stay patient, but I know all the training will pay off come game time,” Roldan said. “I have every coach to thank during this slow process, because they’ve been working their tails off trying to get us back on the field again, and I appreciate everything they’re doing.”
Roldan, who is 5-foot-3, 127 pounds, set personal records in his three lifts. He did 165 pounds in the clean, 235 in the back squat and a 135 bench. His clean and squat were 10-pound improvements.
The 6-2, 230-pound Perez completed a 225-pound clean, a 335 squat and a 245 bench.
“He has found a way to keep lifting at home during the break and kept his strength way up,” said DP coach Doug Caines of the offensive and defensive tackle. “Just a super raw athlete with tons of potential.”
The Chargers work with strength and conditioning coach Jon Rew.
Roldan described the feeling of winning a national as “honestly, still kind of mind blowing. I had my goals set to win the competition about a year ago, so when I found out, I was overjoyed and gave thanks to God for allowing me to compete to the best of my abilities. Definitely going to remember this for the rest of my life.”
Caines is impressed with Roldan’s dedication and work ethic.
“He is just a great kid: polite, well mannered, dedicated beyond belief,” said Caines of the cornerback/running back. “I remember seeing him in academic and football Zoom classes last year bouncing his baby brother on his knee while taking notes. He never complains, and is always the hardest working kid; he just gets it done in the class and on the field. despite his small stature.”
Caines appreciates the energy and gratitude Roldan brings to the workouts.
“Motor doesn’t even begin to describe his movement on the field,” he said. “Pound for pound, the strongest kid. This competition confirms that. On top of all that, he literally thanks me every few weeks for doing all I can for him and the team in these tough times.
“It’s kids like Eric that drive me, drive me not to give up. I sit at my computer frustrated, having a bad day, as many football coaches can relate to, and this kid is saying thank you for what I’m doing. It creates a rejuvenation in me that quite frankly is much needed.”
This is the third year DP football has competed in the Throwdown. Last year’s team had three national champions.
While it wasn’t Friday Night Lights, Caines was happy to see his student athletes compete.
“In a time where (high school) football is in such doubt, I was glad our kids were able to compete in something, and show they are competitors despite the adversity of this year.”
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.